MATT TUBBS fired Crawley into the Fifth Round of the FA Cup with the only goal, as the Reds produced more giantkilling heroics at Hull City this afternoon.
The Reds’ striker bagged his 18th of the season with a cool finish midway through the second half to dump Nick Barmby’s Tigers out, and it was no more than Crawley deserved. Sanchez Watt hit a post and Vito Mannone made a number of smart saves to deny the away side, while Scott Shearer was immense in goal at the other end.
New signing Watt, brought in on loan from Arsenal started as Steve Evans made just the one change to the side which drew 1-1 at Plymouth.
Some of Hull’s big names, such as Slovakian international Robert Koren, missed out completely, as manager Nick Barmby made seven changes to the side which had beaten Reading seven days earlier.
Crawley made a bright start, and with the Reds fans making plenty of early noise in the North Stand, Kyle McFadzean ballooned a half volley over from the edge of the box. Eager running from Dean Howell saw him get down the left three times early on, and after six minutes, Hull had barely set foot inside the Crawley half. There was a minor scare for the Reds when Hull’s on-loan Manchester United youngster Josh King got away from David Hunt, but Pablo Mills was immense to shield the ball and then turn away from Matty Fryatt.
New-boy Watt was operating behind Matt Tubbs and Tyrone Barnett, and made use of some wide open space to run at a back-peddling Tigers defence, before his pass to Tubbs was deflected clear of danger.
Tubbs was put through in the 19th minute though, when Sergio Torres found a yard of pace, and the strikers’ overhead kick flashed wide. He was in again moments later from McFadzean’s dinked pass, but was just unable to bring it under control. It was all Crawley as they poured forward time after time, and when Watt slipped Barnett in, it took a fine block from Vito Mannone to deny the in-demand frontman at his near post.
For long periods, Hull struggled to do anything right, and the home support, who were being outsung by Crawley’s, were distinctly unimpressed.
In fact, the Tigers did not enjoy any pressure of any kind until half an hour had passed, and even then Tom Dudgeon’s shot was easily dealt with by Scott Shearer.
Their good spell continued, and when Hunt brought the lively King down, Hull’s Robbie Brady had a shot turned round the post by Shearer after Crawley failed to clear the free kick.
And Hull carried that into the start of the second half, Tom Cairney tested Shearer with a curling effort which he tipped wide for a corner, while half time substitute Aaron McLean flashed a shot just wide.
At the other end, Claude Davis had a shot blocked, and a full-stretch Mannone tipped Watt’s low shot round the post before McFadzean tested the keeper from range, and the temperature inside the KC Stadium rose dramatically.
And the Reds fans were in paradise 11 minutes into the second half, Dannie Bulman’s ball over the top released Tubbs and he slid a finish under Mannone for his 18th of the season, sparking wild celebrations in the away end.
Hull needed a response and got one as Shearer had to be at his best soon after the goal with a reaction stop to deny Richard Garcia but Crawley continued to look good for their lead.
King was the Tigers’ biggest threat, and blazed over after cutting inside, but that was to be his last contribution before being replaced by Seyi Olofinjana.
Paul Raynor was banished from the touchline as the game became more and more heated, but Crawley remained in control, and might have scored twice in a matter of moments. Watt had a header saved, before Barnett’s effort was cleared off the line, and Watt’s driven shot hit the outside of the post.
In four minutes of added time, Hull piled forwards but some brave defending from Dean Howell and Scott Neilson blocked efforts on the edge of the box, as Crawley booked their place in tomorrow’s draw.
Hull City: Vito Mannone, Jack Hobbs, Corry Evans, Matt Fryatt, Tom Cairney, Robbie Brady, Joe Dudgeon, Daniel East, Josh King, Richard Garcia, Liam Cooper.
Subs: Trevor Carson, Andy Dawson, James Chester, Aaron McLean (on for Brady 45),Jay Simpson, Seyi Olofinjana (on for King 65), Mark Cullen (on for Garcia 65).
Crawley Town: Scott Shearer, Dean Howell, David Hunt, Pablo Mills, Claude Davis, Kyle McFadzean, Sergio Torres, Dannie Bulman, Sanchez Watt, Tyrone Barnett, Matt Tubbs.
Subs: Michael Kuipers, Hope Akpan (on for Watt 90), Josh Simpson (on for Watt 86), Ben Smith, Glenn Wilson, Charlie Wassmer, Scott Neilson (on for Torres 90).